Powershot SD950 IS

Powershot SD950 IS

Canon Powershot SD950 IS Review

By
Movable Type Admin

Review posted 10/1/2007

Click to take a QTVR tour of the SD950

The PowerShot SD950 IS Digital ELPH is designed for the sophisticated point-and-shoot user looking for top-
level functionality in a compact, elegant package. This camera continues the ELPH tradition with its stylish
and durable titanium body. The PowerShot SD950 IS is equipped with upgraded features such as 12.1-megapixel
image sensor, 3.7x optical zoom with optical image stabilizer (OIS) for steady shooting and a next-generation
version of Canon's Genuine Face Detection technology. This pure titanium powerhouse has a DIGIC III image
processor, red-eye correction, an optical viewfinder and a 2.5-inch PureColor LCD screen with scratch-
resistant and anti-reflection coating for easy viewing at any angle.

The extended zoom range of the camera makes optical image stabilization (OIS) essential. Canon's lens
shift OIS provides an effective antidote to camera shake, particularly at longer zoom lengths or during
long exposures when even the slightest hand-held shake is magnified to picture blurring proportions.
Superior to electronic image stabilization systems that simply use software to mask movement, OIS actually
shifts the lens proportionately to compensate for unwanted motion, making it easier to snap great images.
The OIS found in Canon PowerShot digital cameras is based on technology developed for Canon's renowned
high-end professional EOS SLR cameras.

The steady effectiveness is further enhanced when paired with the new "Auto ISO Shift" feature which, at
the touch of a button, can automatically increase the ISO speed setting as required to maintain fast
shutter speeds when shooting in low-light conditions without a flash.

With Canon's new Genuine Face Detection technology, the camera can detect up to nine forward-looking human
faces in a scene. The Face Detection algorithm automatically prioritizes and selects faces and not simply
the closest object (based on Canon's Intelligent Scene Analysis/iSAPS technology). It will then optimize
the focus, exposure and flash to ensure the best possible results. Using Canon's Face Detection,
photographers can keep up to nine faces in focus at any one time no matter where they are within the
image. Working in concert with Face Detection, the "Red-Eye Correction" feature helps to detect and
correct red-eye during playback mode. Images can be corrected manually while viewing photos on the LCD
screen. Canon's new Face Detection Technology makes for even easier picture-taking moments, helping users
ensure in-focus smiles, and assist in the elimination of over-exposed faces.

The "brain" of these new PowerShot cameras is DIGIC III, the gold standard on all new Canon digital
cameras. The DIGIC III image processor accounts for the camera's higher performance levels, including
faster start-up, faster autofocus and quicker shutter response times that leave long-lag competitors in
the dust. The DIGIC III chip design improves image quality and offers more efficient power consumption,
resulting in extended battery life under typical shooting conditions.

Like all of the Canon's new models, the SD950 offers a widescreen 16:9 ratio resolution setting that
facilitates creating panoramic-style prints. Additionally, all new PowerShot models support 23 languages
(now including Thai and Arabic). The new cameras have an improved direct printing function that permits
greater flexibility in print settings, including a face brightener setting for backlit photos.

Canon also enhanced the "My Colors" mode found in the new PowerShot line. Where previously, users could
only enable My Colors while shooting, the current iteration permits captured images to be retouched as
well, without the need for special software applications or tools. Available My Color playback modes
include Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, and Vivid Red, lighter and darker skin tones, as well as options for
creating black & white, sepia, neutral and positive film effects.

For those who consider the ocean depths part of the Digital ELPH camera line's "go anywhere" promise,
Canon offers individual optional waterproof housing systems. With a depth rating of 40m/130 feet for many
of the PowerShot Digital ELPH cameras, these models are a natural choice for underwater photo enthusiasts,
SCUBA divers and even snorkelers.

As an added convenience, Canon PowerShot digital cameras also accommodate MultiMedia MMC and MMC+ memory
cards, as well as standard SD memory cards and the new, high-capacity SDHC memory cards. This way,
consumers do not have to carry around multiple memory cards in order to be able to continue to save those
special moments during extended vacations or high-photo-taking adventures. Canon PowerShot owners can
travel in sleek style.

This digital camera supports Exif 2.2 (also called "Exif Print"). Exif Print is a standard for enhancing the communication between digital cameras and printers. By connecting to an Exif Print-compliant printer, the camera's image data at the time of shooting is used and optimized, yielding extremely high quality prints.

Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.